The fourth on the fourth. The
fourth annual Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally was held over the July 4 weekend
in Raton, New Mexico and the weather was almost picture perfect, making
the three day rally a resounding success for 31 balloon teams.by K. L. Thompson
The fourth on the fourth. The
fourth annual Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally was held over the July 4 weekend
in Raton, New Mexico and the weather was almost picture perfect, making
the three day rally a resounding success for 31 balloon teams.
The weekend's activities kicked off with a pilot's reception Thursday evening at the Raton Holiday Classic. A free buffet and no host bar kept pilots and crew in a convivial mood. Pilot packs were handed out during registration and the weekend's raffle prizes were on display. The Viking Clan balloon team donated some glasses etched with what else? a Viking. They also donated two limited edition Viking coins designed by Mark Hofheins. Jerry Smith was this year's balloonmeister.
Friday morning came all too quickly with a scheduled 6:30 a.m. ascension, or even earlier if you attended the Kiwanis pancake breakfast at La Mesa Park Airport at 5:30 a.m. New Mexico's governor, Gary Johnson, was on hand to help kick off the festivities. Since this was hare and hound day, it was befitting that Bruce Hale, one of the rally founders, take the governor up in Duke, a red balloon with yellow zias on the sides, and be the hare balloon. He lifted off with the governor aboard to the sounds of the National Anthem. The hounds were soon allowed to follow. Glen See would hit closest to the target for a second year in a row. Not even Mark Heideman's creative cheating drop of one and half inches in OhB.O.Y. could rob Glen of his feat.
Unfortunately the monsoon weather blew the glow out Friday night but not before approximately 500 residents showed up to view it. According to the organizers there were few complaints about the cancellation even though they were disappointed. It did however boost sales at the hamburger fry sponsored by the Kiwanis.
Saturday was another glorious
day. The balloons took off over the southeast plains and then boxed back
in. The balloons were able to spread out over the area and most pilot got
in several hops. The Viking Clan initiated close to twenty first time balloon
riders that day much to the sponsor's and town's delight. Saturday was also
initiation day for Kay Adams and Jerry Smith, owners of Raton Rhapsody.
The balloon was named after Raton in honor of Kay and Jerry's meeting at
the first rally and their subsequent engagement and marriage. This day was
to become another milestone for the couple as they were initiated into the
Viking Clan giving the clan four balloons and five pilots; still no competition
for the number of Adams Family members, but they will be hard to beat, ever.
Kay and Jerry received a rousing water-drenched initiation typical of the
Vikings which inspired many more water fights bringing welcome relief on
a warm day.
Sunday was just as nice as Saturday with most pilots finding great box winds for doing hops and just fun flying. Many were able to return to the airstrip making it an easy day for chase crews. There were no more competitions but there was a free hamburger fry for pilots and crew after Sunday's flight. The raffle winners were drawn but too numerous to mention.
Raton is a great place to fly with incredible scenic vistas, usually great flying weather, and friendly and supportive townspeople. It's one rally where you definitely know the town is behind the event and appreciates the annual invasion of balloonatics.
Raton is located in northern New Mexico off I-25 near the Colorado border. Fishing, hiking and sightseeing possibilities abound. For more information, contact the Raton Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-638-6161, or e-mail them at chamber@raton.com. You can also visit their website at: http://www.raton.com/
